Chapter 71

Pan Yun was deeply moved; how could she not repay such a kind old woman?

She rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a handful of talismans; lately, safety and wealth talismans had sold exceptionally well, and the few she held now were drawn last night—each one identical, the rest all attack talismans.

This was Pan Yun's habit; after all, in her past life, demons and monsters were plentiful, and to guard against any contingency, she always carried many attack talismans.

If cultivation was insufficient, make up for it with talismans—crash attack talismans by the handful until you're certain you've crushed your opponent.

Pan Yun picked out a safety talisman, a health talisman, and a wealth talisman from the pile and handed them to the old woman. "Good soul, these are talismans I've accumulated over time; only these beneficial ones remain. Carry them with you at all times."

Pan Yun hesitated, then pulled two Lei Fu from the pile of attack talismans and gave them to her. "These are Lei Fu. You may carry them too. If anyone dares to offend you, silently recite 'The Great Emperor of the Nine Heavens Who Unifies the Thunder's Voice,' then throw the Lei Fu—it will strike whomever you wish."

Sun Lao Tai's eyes lit up brightly; she gripped the two talismans tightly. "Really?"

Pan Yun nodded fiercely. "Really!"

Sun Lao Tai immediately began reciting the words, memorizing them, then had her daughter fetch paper and ink to write them down—she planned to chant them morning and night to ensure she'd never forget.

Her diligence and trust moved Pan Yun deeply; she began searching through the pile of attack talismans for ones with simple activation incantations that wouldn't harm herself. "Let me see what other talismans suit this good soul."

But Sun Lao Tai seized her hand. "Little Immortal, receiving Lei Fu has already satisfied me. I asked you here for two reasons: first, to thank you for letting me see my late husband; second, for my two daughters."

Sun Lao Tai pulled Sun Huiniang and Sun Xianiang forward for Pan Yun to see. "Little Immortal, please look at them both—will their futures be smooth?"

Pan Yun carefully studied Sun Huiniang and Sun Xianiang.

She first examined Sun Huiniang.

Sun Huiniang looked twenty-four or twenty-five, her face still shadowed with grief; her marriage palace was dim, revealing that her life's suffering stemmed largely from her husband's family, and her old age would be bleak.

Pan Yun's gaze flickered; she took Huiniang's hand and examined it closely. The sleeve slipped down slightly, revealing a faint scar.

Pan Yun sighed, looking at Sun Huiniang.

The room fell tense; Sun Lao Tai hurriedly asked, "Little Immortal, what have you seen?"

"Good soul, this Sun good soul has immense fortune, but her husband's family is ill-suited to her," Pan Yun said bluntly. "Your Sun family has ancestral merit; your ancestors' virtue has blessed your descendants. This Sun good soul was a great benefactor in her past life, which is why she was reborn into your family—she carries her own virtue."

Sun Lao Tai nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! Huiniang has always been well-behaved since childhood, everything went smoothly for her—until she married, then misfortune followed."

"It's because her husband's family curses her," Pan Yun said. "With such a family, either separate households or divorce."

Sun Lao Tai's face turned pale; Sun Huiniang's expression turned bitter.

Pan Yun saw the outcome immediately; she shifted tone, sighing deeply. "Her husband's family curses her, yet she greatly blesses their household. Too bad they don't cherish this fortune—they treat her poorly, wasting it. Had they treated her well, when her fortune merged with theirs, it would have brought triple blessings: thriving children, thriving descendants, thriving household."

Sun Lao Tai's eyes flickered. "How long before this fortune merges with her husband's family?"

"It depends on the heart," Pan Yun said. "If hearts are united, the fortune unites. If hearts are bitter, no amount of time will bind them."

Sun Lao Tai gripped her daughter's hand tightly; a plan formed in her mind.

Pan Yun pulled out two more Lei Fu and smiled sweetly. "Sun good soul, I find other talismans adequate, but you especially need these Lei Fu. Please take two. These Lei Fu strike only scum, purifying the world's filth."

Sun Huiniang stared at the Lei Fu, tempted, but first glanced at her mother.

Sun Lao Tai narrowed her eyes, hardened her heart, and said, "Take them! Buy several more. Huiniang, I'll give you my two as well. When you return home, if your husband dares lay hands on you again, summon the Thunder Ancestor to descend and deliver justice."

Pan Yun immediately pulled out a handful of talismans. "Besides Lei Fu, I have Weight Talismans, Sword Qi Talismans, Itch Talismans..."

She slipped the Itch Talisman back, then smiled sweetly at them. "I mispicked that one."

But Sun Lao Tai's gaze lingered on the Itch Talisman. Sun Huiniang was tempted but restrained, asking softly, "Little Immortal, how much for this talisman?"

Pan Yun smiled. "Not expensive. Twenty taels per talisman."

Twenty taels—even the Sun family wouldn't spend so casually, and Sun Huiniang was already married; her husband's family was the Tian family, mere minor landowners, far inferior to the Suns.

Twenty taels was a whole family's monthly expenditure.

But Sun Huiniang had just received her share of the inheritance; she was still tempted.

After hesitation, she said, "Then... I'll take two Lei Fu and one Sword Qi Talisman."

Sun Huiniang pulled a stack of silver notes from her purse and handed Pan Yun three twenty-tael notes.

Hand over money, hand over goods; Pan Yun gave her the talismans, then turned to Sun Xianiang, who stood nearby.

Sun Lao Tai immediately pulled Sun Xianiang forward for Pan Yun to examine.

Pan Yun smiled. "This Sun good soul's fortune and virtue are less than the other's, but her fortune is strong—and destined for her descendants."

Sun Lao Tai beamed, nodding vigorously. "Yes, yes! My grandson spoke late, but he's gifted in studies—he's always praised by his teachers at school!"

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Pan Yun also took her hand, studied it awhile, then frowned. "Sun good soul, do you have a daughter?"

Sun Xianiang paused, then nodded. "Yes, I have a daughter—she's six this year."

"Did she come with you?"

"Yes," Sun Xianiang turned quickly. "Quickly, bring the Young Lady."

The servants, listening intently, immediately went to fetch a little girl.

She was said to be six, but likely a nominal age; she looked no more than four or five.

A tiny bundle, held in the nurse's arms.

Pan Yun noticed her face was unnaturally pale; she had her brought closer and reached out to take her pulse.

But she'd only just learned pulse-taking days ago; after fumbling for a long while, she could discern nothing, so pinched the child's cheek to amuse her. "Little sister, where do you feel unwell?"

The child's eyes filled with tears, but she glanced at her mother and held back, whispering, "Foot... foot hurts."

Pan Yun looked down at her foot and saw layer upon layer of cloth wrapped around it, and tiny, pointed shoes.

Pan Yun's heart trembled; she recognized these shoes—when she was four or five, a servant had come to bind her feet, carrying shoes just like these.

Her face darkened; she touched the child's foot, then rose and bowed to Sun Lao Tai. "Old good soul, I cannot resolve this calamity for this Sun good soul."

Sun Lao Tai stared in shock. "What? What calamity? Didn't you say Xianiang has fortune?"

"Indeed, this Sun good soul clearly has fortune—destined for descendants. But this fortune carries blood-evil qi. I was puzzled at first—why was fortune tainted by blood-evil? Now I understand," Pan Yun said. "The Zhou family's fortune is split: half rests on this Sun good soul's eldest son, half on this little girl. But this little girl is dying."

Sun Xianiang shot to her feet. "You—what nonsense are you spouting, witch-doctor?"

"Silence!" Sun Lao Tai barked. "What are you shouting? You've seen the Little Immortal's power—this is an Immortal, an Immortal!"

Sun Xianiang's face turned ashen; she immediately knelt and wept, "Little Immortal, please do not blame me—my words a moment ago were spoken in desperation. My daughter is perfectly well; how can you say such a thing but curse her?"

Pan Yun's expression did not change; she remained gentle and said softly, "I understand, Master Sun, that your love for your daughter drives you. But this calamity of yours, I truly cannot help you through."

Today's lucky number is any number ending in 2, screenshot as proof.

Today is the Dragon Boat Festival; may you all have a peaceful and healthy Dragon Boat Festival.

(End of Chapter)